Our Alumni

Juta Shoes is an award-winning social enterprise providing supported work to women who face barriers to employment in London by making handcrafted reclaimed leather espadrilles and running shoemaking workshops.

In Tower Hamlets, where we’re based, over a quarter of residents are income-deprived, and women are even more likely to be underwaged or unemployed. Our mission is to combat financial and social isolation by providing well-paid, flexible employment, opportunities to build confidence and gain new skills, and a strong supportive community.

Our shoes are made from environmentally-friendly jute soles sourced from Southern Spain and reclaimed leather from local factories, like our parters Alma 1938. By saving these offcuts from landfill, we can give them new life and prevent waste. Our shoes are made from just four materials, three of which are fully biodegradable.

Juta Shoes are handmade in our Shoreditch studio, using a traditional hand-stitching technique. Our makers can also take their work home with them, so they can earn money on their own time and terms. You can learn our making technique in our Make Your Own Shoes workshops, taught by our passionate and experienced makers.

Visit our website (link above) to learn more about Juta or to book your space on a workshop.